End Times Witnessing: O Loveless Church, Hear What the Spirit says to you

The Loveless Church

1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,

‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’

_______________________________

1 John 2

1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

The Test of Knowing Him

3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

7 Brethren,[a] I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.[b] 8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.

9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Their Spiritual State

12 I write to you, little children,

Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.

13 I write to you, fathers,

Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young men,

Because you have overcome the wicked one.

I write to you, little children,

Because you have known the Father.

14 I have written to you, fathers,

Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.

I have written to you, young men,

Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you,

And you have overcome the wicked one.

Do Not Love the World

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Deceptions of the Last Hour

18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the[c] Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.[d] 21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. 23Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

Let Truth Abide in You

24 Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.

26 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. 27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will[e]abide in Him.

The Children of God

28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when[f] He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 29If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.

Footnotes:

1.1 John 2:7 NU-Text reads Beloved.

2.1 John 2:7 NU-Text omits from the beginning.

3.1 John 2:18 NU-Text omits the.

4.1 John 2:20 NU-Text reads you all know.

5.1 John 2:27 NU-Text reads you abide.

6.1 John 2:28 NU-Text reads if.

End Times Witnessing: The Power of God’s Grace

The key Word today is grace. Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 4:15-16 (New International Version, ©2011)

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

1 Peter 5:8-11 (New International Version, ©2011)

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.



10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

2 Peter 1:1-3 (New International Version, ©2011)

1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: 2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Confirming One’s Calling and Election

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:16

Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.

John 1:17

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.



Acts 4:33

With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all

Acts 6:8

[ Stephen Seized ] Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

Acts 13:43

When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.

Acts 14:3

So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.

Acts 14:26

From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.

Acts 15:11

No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

Acts 15:40

but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.

Acts 18:27

When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.

Acts 20:24

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Acts 20:32

“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Romans 3:24

and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Romans 4:16

Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.

Romans 5:2

through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:20

The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,

Romans 5:21

so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:1

[ Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ ] What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?

Romans 6:14

For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

Romans 12:6

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;

Romans 16:20

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.


2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Ephesians 1:7

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

Ephesians 2:5

made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Ephesians 2:8

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

Ephesians 4:7

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

Colossians 1:6

that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.

2 Thessalonians 1:12

We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:16

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,


1 Timothy 1:14

The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:9

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

Watchman’s Adventure: a night discourse on Love

Watchman’s Adventure: a night discourse on Love

The watchman does not normally go out at night. He prefers the comfort and quietness of his own garden in the cool evening breeze. But last night he was called to attend a date. The Date (the Holy Spirit) wanted him to attend a worship service where He will have something important to say to the watchman.

So the watchman obediently went. He was full of expectation as this was the first time for him to be called to go to a place for a specific message. He waited there until the later part of the worship and he felt ready to ask the Lord what His message was. Then he heard a small inaudible voice in his heart, “I love you.”

He was a bit disappointed as he thought this was probably his own self or this was a trick by false god(s) (the devil). But the voice asked him, “Is there any other ‘god’ who says to their followers I love you?” The watchman admitted no. Then he also realized that he had never told himself he loves himself. He is not a person who likes to be exposed to the vulnerability of love and other emotion.

So he asked the Lord, “Why do you love me?”

The small voice asked, “Why do you love your beloved?”

The watchman thought for awhile and could not find any reason so he answered, “I just love. ” The small voice said, “I too, just love.”

Then he understood, any other form of love, i.e. love with any reasons or conditions is not love. they are mere rationalizations, demands, conditions, and stipulations with the self in mind and not really for the object of love.

“If you can explain love in the purest way, you can explain God, Who is Love.” He came to this conclusion at the end of the discourse.

During the meeting he suddenly felt thankful for his life and gave thanks to the Lord for two kind and faithful persons who have often helped him doing the things he cannot do. They are faithful ‘assistants’ who come to his aid whenever he needs them, just like his right and left hands. Then he lamented to the Lord that one of them has not yet come to know the Holy Spirit and seems reluctant to do so despite his invitations.

The Lord asked, “How often have you prayed for him and his family?” The watchman was speechless as he hardly remembered them in his prayers. So the Lord said, “Start by praying for this man and his family.” This is the second lesson of Love that the Lord revealed to the watchman on the same date.

It was indeed a wonderful evening out with LOVE!

End Times Church Countdown: a dream of loveless lawyers

The watchman had a dream full of lawyers. It was a story of an upper middle class family of lawyers (parents in law on both sides, husband, wife and friends). The hero was in a dilemma as he knew he did not enter his marriage out of love. But he had been married for sometime and had a little daughter of around six years old. When the dream started the hero was consulting this matter with an elderly family friend. Later a previous suitor of his wife came into the scene. The man (also a lawyer) was hopeful that the estranged couple would divorce so he could marry the woman. On the surface all parties were cordial with each other and maintained fairly civil relationship. They had weekends together, held dinner parties, dealt with legal business together, all well dressed and well bred.

Then the hero discovered that the wife had volunteered to go through a dangerous (adventurous) test of a high tech equipment like going through some outer space machine or similar gadget. He got worried. So did his parents and in laws. They all waited for the outcome anxiously. The only person not affected by the event was the little daughter. During the waiting period the hero decided to repent to his wife if she came back alive and well.



When she came out of the ‘adventure’, she was greeted with warmth by her parents, parents in law, and her little girl and she showed her warmth for them too. Then the hero went to kneel down before her and repented and asked for her forgiveness. But he was very careful in using his words. He said something like this to her,

“Please forgive me for not having fulfilled the terms of our marriage covenant. I am sorry. Please forgive me.” (He was careful not to say, “Please forgive me for not loving you.”) The wife did not say anything. She just nodded at him coldly. The dream ended.

When the watchman woke up he knew this was another reminder to him. Quite sometime ago he had been given chapter 13 in 1 Corinthians to read. The message was, “Read all about the love of God!” A week ago he again received a verse from Ezekiel 33:11 wherein the Lord said He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. So this dream is the third message about the need to love before he or any of his class can become intercessor.

O watchman, spend time knowing the love of God before you intercede!

1 Corinthians 13

The Greatest Gift

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.


8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

More verses on the Love of God

1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 3:10 [ The Imperative of Love ] In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. 3:17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

4:7 [ Knowing God Through Love ] Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

4:9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

4:12 [ Seeing God Through Love ] No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 4:20 [ Obedience by Faith ] If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 4:21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

NEW LIVING FOR YOU TODAY

TODAY’S NEW LIVING BIBLE VERSES

Romans 12

A Living Sacrifice to God

1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.


6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.


9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.


14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!


17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.


19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,


“I will take revenge;

I will pay them back,”

Says the Lord.


20 Instead,


“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.

If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap

burning coals of shame on their heads.”


21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

today's hymns for your soul

Blessèd be the fountain of blood,


Words: Eden R. Lat­ta, 1881.

Music: Hen­ry S. Per­kins (MI­DI, score).


Blessèd be the fountain of blood,
To a world of sinners revealed;
Blessèd be the dear Son of God;
Only by His stripes we are healed.
Tho’ I’ve wandered far from His fold,
Bringing to my heart pain and woe,
Wash me in the blood of the Lamb,
And I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

Whiter than the snow,
Whiter than the snow,
Wash me in the blood of the Lamb,
And I shall be whiter than snow.

Thorny was the crown that He wore,
And the cross His body o’ercame;
Grievous were the sorrows He bore,
But He suffered Thus not in vain.
May I to that fountain be led,
Made to cleanse my sins here below;
Wash me in the blood that He shed,
And I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

Father, I have wandered from Thee,
Often has my heart gone astray;
Crimson do my sins seem to me—
Water cannot wash them away.
Jesus, to the fountain of Thine,
Leaning on Thy promise, I go;
Cleanse me by Thy washing divine,
And I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/l/blefount.htm

Grace greater than our sin
Words: Julia H. Johnston, in Hymns Tried and True (Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: The Bi­ble In­sti­tute Col­port­age As­so­ci­a­tion, 1911), num­ber 2. Music: Daniel B. Towner, 1910 (MI­DI, score).

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.

Refrain

Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Refrain

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
Brighter than snow you may be today.

Refrain

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?

Refrain

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/g/g/ggreater.htm


Be blessed!

Hear what Jesus says about your new life

Hear what Jesus says about your new life in Christ


Luke 18:29-30 (New Living Translation)

“Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come.”

Luke 21:19

“By standing firm, you will win your souls.”

Luke 21:34-36

“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”


John 6:63

“The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”

8:47 “Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.”


John 10:9-10

“Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”


John 12:26

Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.

John 12:46


I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.


John 14:16

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.”


John 14:21

“Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”


John 14:26

“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”


John 15:3

“You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.”


John 15:7

“But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!”


John 15:10

“When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.”


John 16:13

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.”


John 17:2-3

Jesus prayed to the Father, “For you have given Him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given Him. And this is the way to have eternal life—to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One you sent to earth.”


John 17:16-17

“They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by Your truth; teach them Your word, which is truth.”


New Living Translation (NLT)

can one love both God and the world?

New Living Translation (NLT)

Matthew 6:24

24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Matthew 16:26

26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?

1 John 2:5

5 But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him.

1 John 2:15-18

Do Not Love This World

15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

1 John 3:7-10
7 Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. 8 But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. 10 So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.

1 John 5:18-19
18 We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. 19 We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.

1 John 2:18
Warning about Antichrists
18 Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come.


New Living Translation (NLT)

DAY 90: YOU HAVE ONLY ONE CHOICE: CHOOSE GOD

During the last few days I was bothered with one thought. I kept thinking of what Jesus had warned in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
These are very strong words. Jesus rarely used harsh words except when He was confronting the Pharisees gang, the descendents of the devil (brood of vipers, serpents). This is a serious matter.
Jesus contrasted the two objects of worship. On one side is God. On the other side is mammon. One may argue that no one worships money. People just want money for meeting needs and wants (buying things, security, comfort, pleasure, health and may be long life). But Jesus speaks clearly that people who do not worship God worship money.
Not only those who do not worship God are worshipping money, they hate and despise God. They love money and are loyal to money.
Are all Christians worshipping God the way that God has commanded? If not, then they are worshipping money and hating and despising God too. How do we know whether churches are worshipping God or money?
Simple. Just look at the priority on the church agenda.
If they put activities that meet the goals of making the church membership and hence finances (and all fixed assets) grow, then they are not worshipping God.
On the other hand, if they put activities that meet the goals of drawing members to meet God closely and live Biblically in the presence of God, (living in the Spirit and walking by the Spirit), with the purpose of knowing God and His kingdom, then they are worshipping God.
You can actually see obvious worldliness in the church that worships money (and all man-made things). There is no difference between them and any worldly organizations, except some Christian lingo used (in vain).
In the godly church you can sense the obvious difference. When you enter you sense the presence of the holy and glorious God. You cannot help but kneel down, bow low and prostrate yourself, seeing how lowly you are and how majestic God is. You spend hours in stillness. You are awed and grateful at the same time. You feel honored and privileged to be in God’s presence. The whole focus of worship is God, not man. By the time you come out of the worship, you are soaked with God’s presence.
Unlike what popular worldly culture thinks, God is not in the big noise made by impressive bands and singers. God is not in the impressive buildings of concrete and glass. God is not in the impressive and charming speakers’ voice (preaching or praying). God is not in any man-made activities. My advice to all God seeking churches is that do not spend any more on things (or buildings). You would not find God there.
Where is God? God is in the stillness of your heart. He is just there, obliterating all. You can hear Him. You can sense Him in your spirit. His Spirit reveals Him to your spirit. You look with your spirit and you know His presence is real.
A church that worships God seeks God and concentrates all its efforts and resources to build the members’ inner life, and not external sensational pleasure and cheap superficial high generated by special effects and popular culture. More likely than not, those attracted by such entertainments and sensual pleasure and come to church for them are not souls that are saved. What is the point of starving the real children of God and fattening the vipers and serpents?
Be warned: churches that are bent on gaining the whole world are in danger of losing their own souls. (Jesus warned of this danger in Matthew 16:26)
Someone may ask, “Is there no alternative? Can one not keep both as priorities, God and money, soul and world?” The answer has already been given by Jesus. Read your Bible with honesty. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you, my friend.
Here is a clue, in 1 John 1:15, the Apostle John (inspired by the Holy Spirit) thus warned Christians, “Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (Strong words, but true.) I would be careful if I were a worship leader leading songs about how much we love God. Safer to be honest than lying before God.
AAA Jack
June 2, 2009